- Kenyan musician Bien Baraza, a well-known artist, has won Best Artist Eastern Africa at the 2025 Trace Awards.
- The Sauti Sol vocalist outwitted Diamond Platnumz, Zuchu, Marioo, Harmonize, Joshua Baraka, and Rophnan.
- Bien was the only Kenyan nominee in the category and delivered a remarkable performance
Kenyan artist Bien Baraza has been named the Best Artist in Eastern Africa at the 2025 Trace Awards in Zanzibar, solidifying his position as one of the region's leading music stars.
The highly respected awards ceremony, considered the continent's most celebrated music event, gathered Africa's most talented artists, including top performers from the African diaspora, for a night of musical excellence.
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Bien's victory was a significant achievement - he defeated notable artists such as Diamond Platnumz, Zuchu, Marioo, Harmonize, and Mario from Tanzania, as well as Joshua Baraka from Uganda and Rophnan from Ethiopia.
Kenya's sole representative in the category, Bien did not fail to impress, outshining some of the region's most prominent stars to claim the award.
Celebration of African music
The Trace Awards 2025 followed the inaugural event in Rwanda last year, which brought together artists from over 30 countries, including those from Africa, South America, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Europe.
The awards honor the best in African music across various genres, such as:
- Afrobeat
- Dancehall
- Hip-hop
- Afro-pop
- Mbalax
- Amapiano
- Zouk
- Kizomba
- Genge
- Coupé-décalé
- Bongo Flava
- Soukous
- Gospel
- Rap
- Raï
- Kompa
- R&B
- Rumba
The event goes beyond just award ceremonies—it serves as a platform for Africa's most prominent musicians to demonstrate their skills, assert their influence, and solidify their status in the music industry.
Bien's memorable performance
Prior to being crowned Best Artist Eastern Africa, Bien made a lasting impression with his captivating performance, drawing in the audience with his distinctive vocals and impressive stage presence.